Remember Vaise’s transformation after the bombings of World War II. Here stands the \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens. This church is a testament to resilience and faith. We are standing before a piece of Lyon’s history. The \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens is more than just a building. It is a landmark in the 9th arrondissement.
Let’s delve into the story of this remarkable church. The \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens has roots stretching back centuries. A place of worship existed here as early as 878. It was dedicated to Saint Baudille. A church named Saint-Pierre de Vaise was built around 1050.
The current structure dates back to the mid-19th century. Tony Desjardins was the architect. Construction took place from 1843 to 1846. Desjardins was a diocesan architect known for his work on other Lyon landmarks. He also restored Lyon’s city hall. The chosen style for \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens was neo-Roman.
Notice the facade’s intricate details. Sculptor Guillaume Bonnet created the fronton and exterior statues. The tympan depicts Christ in a mandorla. The Tetramorph surrounds him. A great deal of care went into the facade. Other parts of the church were simpler. The exterior shows a contrast in design.
Tragedy struck during the Second World War. Allied bombings heavily damaged the \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens. The church was largely destroyed. After Vatican II some changes happened. The main altar remained in place. A new altar was placed in front of the old one. The communion table survived intact. Its columns feature grape and wheat decorations.
The \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens faces southwest. Its entrance is on Rue Saint-Pierre de Vaise. Like many Lyon buildings it is built with golden stone. The bell tower sits at the northeast end. It is near the Saône River. The tower’s roof is unique with varnished tiles. These tiles feature a patterned design.
Inside the church you can find an organ. Joseph Merklin built it in 1882. It stands behind the choir. Claudius Barriot contributed to the interior design.
Let’s not forget the carillon. Since 2024 the church has had fifteen bells. In 1938 the Paccard foundry created twelve bells. Cardinal Grelier blessed them in 1939. In 2024 three new bells were added. The Paccard foundry cast them. These bells honor notable women from Lyon’s history.
These additions came about through a participatory budgeting project. The city of Lyon wanted to honor local figures. The names were selected from a list of sixteen candidates. Elise Rivet was a nun deported to Ravensbrück. Marie-Madeleine Fourcade led a French resistance network. Lucie Aubrac was a famous resistance fighter. Julie-Victoire Daubié was the first French woman to earn a baccalaureate. Adélaïde Perrin founded a hospice for young girls. Eugénie Brazier was a renowned chef. The three new bells were displayed in the Vaise town hall. Their installation occurred in early October. The expanded carillon was inaugurated on October 12 2024.
The \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens stands as a reminder. It symbolizes Vaise’s enduring spirit. It represents Lyon’s rich history. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty and significance.